Georgia Senate Republicans have proposed legislation to ban transgender girls and women from competing in high school and college sports, with plans to address the issue in the 2025 legislative session.

It’s an issue that’s already been addressed in Georgia. Legislators in 2022 empowered the Georgia High School Association to regulate transgender students’ participation in sports. The association, which regulates sports and activities for all public schools and some private schools, then banned transgender boys and girls from playing on the school sports teams matching their gender identity.

Jones and others argue that doesn’t go far enough and that lawmakers themselves need to act. It’s a sign Republicans believe there is more political gain in fears about transgender women playing women’s sports or using women’s bathrooms.

At least 26 mostly Republican states have passed laws or rules to restrict transgender girls from participating high school sports and, in some cases, transgender women from college sports, according to the Movement Advancement Project, a gay rights group.

In Georgia, additional action appears more likely now after House Speaker Jon Burns and Gov. Brian Kemp, both Republicans, have voiced support for further legislation.

Jeff Graham, executive director of the LGBTQ+ advocacy group Georgia Equality, said his group is playing defense, concerned about the possibility of other bills that could further restrict gender-affirming care or ban transgender people from using public bathrooms that match their gender identity.

Source: https://apnews.com/article/georgia-transgender-women-sports-2552118c2237a278dfee16df9335f5e8